HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (7-20-09)

(--This reminds us of when FLEA wore pants made out of stuffed animals in the video for YOUNG MC's "Bust a Move" 20 years ago. That Lady Gaga is so fresh and cutting edge isn't she??? You can see Flea's pants at the 2:00 mark, here . . .)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy4FXhkm6Nw

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***MICHAEL JACKSON MADNESS ***

THE BIDDING HAS BEGUN FOR THE MICHAEL JACKSON REHEARSAL FOOTAGE:

No surprise here: A bidding war has begun for rights to the footage of MICHAEL JACKSON'S final rehearsals. That footage is as close as the world will ever get to seeing Michael's "This Is It!" concert extravaganza . . . at least with him in it. So obviously, everybody wants a piece.

It's still too early to call, but the word is that NBC is close to a deal for a TV special . . . while Sony will probably lock up movie and CD rights. Supposedly, AEG Live started the bidding for the film rights at $50 MILLION . . . and the TV special at $10 million.

The plan . . . or so we're hearing . . . is to have the TV special air in September, with the moving coming out the following month. --While this sounds like a total greed move on AEG's part, the Jackson estate WILL band a huge percentage of the profits from all of this.

THE CUSTODY HEARING FOR MICHAEL JACKSON'S KIDS HAS BEEN POSTPONED AGAIN:

The custody hearing for MICHAEL JACKSON'S two eldest children has been delayed AGAIN. It was originally supposed to happen last Monday . . . then it was postponed until today. --Now, it's been delayed for TWO WEEKS . . . until Monday, August 3rd. --What we're hearing is that they put the hearing off because KATHERINE JACKSON and DEBBIE ROWE are close to an agreement.

From various reports floating around the Web, here's what we THINK is happening: --Debbie is going to allow Katherine to have custody . . . which is what Michael wanted in the first place. In return, Debbie wants no additional money. But she wants to make sure she continues to receive payment under the deal she made with Michael when he was alive.

There's also been talk that Debbie wants to make sure Michael's father, JOE JACKSON, has no part in raising the kids. --And a "source" close to the family says that Joe is okay with that . . . quote, "Joe is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure Katherine gets those kids, even if it means stepping aside."

KATHERINE JACKSON IS LOOKING INTO WHETHER SHE CAN CONTEST MICHAEL'S WILL:

KATHERINE JACKSON isn't contesting MICHAEL'S will . . . but she's leaving her options open. --Michael's will has a "no-contest" clause in it . . . which means that anyone who files an objection to it gets NOTHING. Since Katherine is in for 40%, she stands to lose a great deal if she messes up. Which is why her attorneys are approaching this carefully.

What they're doing is asking a judge to determine if Katherine would lose her stake if she only objects to the EXECUTORS Michael chose . . . and not to the will itself. Those executors are attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain.

LA TOYA JACKSON IS RE-RELEASING ONE OF HER SONGS AS A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL:

LA TOYA JACKSON is re-releasing a song of hers called "Home", as a tribute to her brother MICHAEL. It hits iTunes a week from tomorrow. (--You can listen to it here . . .) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8y6V3BRzWs

Although it wasn't unexpected, it's still sad: Legendary broadcast journalist WALTER CRONKITE passed away Friday evening at his home in New York. He was 92.

Cronkite's family had announced several weeks ago that he was in failing health and not likely to recover. Cronkite . . . long known as the "most trusted man in America" . . . anchored the "CBS Evening News" from 1962 to 1981, when he KIND OF retired. He continued to work for the network well into this decade.

Cronkite actually dropped out of college in 1935 to cover news and sports for various newspapers. --As a correspondent in World War 2, he landed ashore on D-Day, parachuted with the 101st Airborne and flew a bombing mission over Germany. He joined CBS in 1950.

Cronkite famously covered every major event during his time in the anchor's chair . . . including JOHN F. KENNEDY'S assassination and the moon landing. -It was his on-air claim in 1968 that the war in Vietnam was un-winnable that helped turn public opinion against it.

President LYNDON JOHNSON himself was quoted as saying, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost America." --Cronkite is survived by three children and four grandsons. His wife Betsy died

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PAULA ABDUL'S MANAGER SAYS IT "DOESN'T APPEAR" THAT PAULA WILL BE BACK ON "AMERICAN IDOL":

It sounds like PAULA ABDUL'S contract negotiations with "American Idol" are going about as SMOOTHLY as her critiques of the contestants on the show. Over the weekend, Paula's manager, one David Sonenberg, didn't sound very optimistic about Paula reaching a deal to return next season.

He told the "Los Angles Times", quote, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on 'Idol'." --So what's the hang-up? Sonenberg claims Paula has yet to even receive an offer . . . and that they consider this a slap in the face after everything she's done for the show. --

He said, quote, "I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual . . . I think unnecessarily hurtful. I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven't stepped up and said what they want to do." --Sonenberg . . . who has only been representing Paula for about a month . . . said he reached out to "Idol" and told them, quote, "Paula would love to be on the show."

He said he was told that he'd hear back from them soon . . . but, quote, "I have not received any proposal whatsoever." (--The "L.A. Times" asked "Idol" for a comment on all this . . . but they didn't get back to them either.)

Sonenberg also hinted that Paula is prepared to move on if they can't agree on a new deal. He said, quote, "She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry. --"I think at this point we're going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows." (--But her last attempt at a reality show, Bravo's "Hey Paula", was a HUGE bust.)

Of course, this is probably all just a negotiation tactic to get "Idol's" attention. And unless "Idol" has already decided to drop her . . . (--which would be somewhat surprising) . . . they WILL offer Paula an extension. --But even if she is invited back, Paula could play hardball. Sonenberg said he felt Paula has been UNDERPAID by "Idol" . . . despite the fact that, according to TMZ, she was pulling down around $2.5 MILLION per season.

Paula hasn't directly commented on this yet . . . but on her Twitter feed, she did say, quote, "I'm actually moved 2 tears upon reading the enormous amount of tweets showing me your kindness, love, & undying support. God bless all of you! --"If it weren't for you, this specific time and situation would feel a whole lot worse!" (--After that, Paula proceeded to tell EACH ONE of her supportive fans how much she loves them. It's madness. Check it out for yourself, here. . .)http://twitter.com/PaulaAbdul

(--RYAN SEACREST just signed a $45 million / three-year deal, which tripled his salary. RANDY JACKSON and SIMON COWELL are signed through next season . . . but KARA DIOGUARDI'S status, like Paula's, is still up in the air.)